I believe it was FDR who said "there are no coincidences in politics." The older I get, the more inclined I am to believe it.
A few months ago, Vice President Joe Biden was awarded a humanitarian award by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. "Hmmm..." I thought. That's curious. Even for the leadership of an ethnic group that is obsequious as the GOA, this was a bridge too far, given the fact that the Obama regime is the most pro-abortion/pro-sodomy in memory. "There must be … [Read more...]

We here at Monomakhos have long recognized that the Middle East is a smoldering cauldron of intense hate. Truthfully, it's a sticky wicket trying to figure out who the bad guys are. As a non-interventionist (and budding America-Firster), all I know is that we should steer clear of that entire region. If we don't, we'll have to turn the sand there into glass and I don't want to do that.
Personally, I've been accused of being a Zionist, a Zio-Christian, an anti-Zionist and even worse. … [Read more...]

That's the motto of the Navy SEALS. Please take the time to read the following essay about what really happened in Benghazi. Thumbnail: two Navy Seals --Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty--fought off two waves of attackers, killing sixty before they themselves were killed. In laying down suppressive fire, they enabled twenty Americans to escape with their lives.
Source: ScottOnCapeCod's Weblog
About the two Navy SEAL’s killed in Libya:
Quite an astounding tribute to the courage … [Read more...]

Below is another article by Theodore Kalmoukos of The National Herald that offers more detail on the unfolding scandal of Met. Paisios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It isn't pretty. Pasios, it appears, has been a predatory abuser of young boys and girls for years. Worse yet, indications are he did not act alone.
Take special note of the last paragraph. Kalmoukos writes about the abused man:
He added that he became an atheist “because of the things that I have seen … [Read more...]

I'm taking a break for a day or two from dealing with the problems in the OCA. Instead, I'm highlighting an example of what I believe +Jonah has been fighting against. Long-time readers know that I've been following another Church scandal in Astoria, NY for the past few months that includes, among other charges, the trafficking of minors for sex.
A little over a week ago, one of the miscreants involved, Bishop Vikentios, was ordered by Istanbul to take a position as an auxiliary bishop in … [Read more...]

Look at how they fight among themselves. This the best we got?
Source: National Herald | Theodore Kalmoukos
ASTORIA, N.Y. – After a tumultuous beginning in which Bishop Vikentios of Apameia refused to attend a meeting of the Corporation of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery because his attorney was barred, the board officially removed him and the scandal-scarred Metropolitan Paisios as officers and replace them with five new trustees. The episodic meeting … [Read more...]

It's like the Keystone Cops.
Source: The National Herald
By Theodore Kalmoukas
BOSTON. – Patriarch Bartholomew has moved to change the administration of the scandal-scarred Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, permanently ousting Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, charged with sex abuses, and also Bishop Vikentios, who has no involvement in sex allegations. There has been a snag though because of technicalities in the structure and state laws governing such institutions, as … [Read more...]

Highlights from the article:
Letter from the law firm representing a client allegedly abused by Passios to Pat. Bartholomew: “Our office has substantial experience representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse, including people abused by clergymen. In this case, our preliminary investigation has revealed allegations that Metropolitan Paisios routinely crossed the physical boundaries of others and inflicted great harm upon the faithful of all ages and genders.”
“Press reports indicate … [Read more...]

The plot thickens into a sludge that threatens to drown more than just the alleged perpetrators of some very serious crimes. Lawyers have already been hired. The same firm that sued the Catholic Church and won millions for harboring pedophiles now has the Ecumenical Patriarchate in their sights. Kalmoukos also reports that Abp. Demetrios is "very uneasy" because Vikentios implicated a GOA clergyman. Word on the street is that this involves more people than just Paisios. Vikentios' order to leave … [Read more...]

Bad stuff folks. In a exclusive interview with the National Herald, Bp. Vikentios accuses Bp. Paisios of pedophilia, intimidation, exploitation of minors, it really can't get more sordid. Nice work guys. What was that verse about offending children and a millstone?
NEW YORK - Bishop Vikentios of Apameia has made stunning allegations about Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana tenure at the Saint Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery and its Dependencies in Astoria, N.Y., including charges that the … [Read more...]

Why is Bp. Paissios in Athens when there is an ongoing investigation by the New York State and the FBI? Why did the EP call him back? the EP was correct in removing him, but he should not leave the country until all the facts are in.
Author: Theodore Kalmoukos, 12/10/2010, Source: The National Herald (USA)
BOSTON - Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia are officially out as Abbot and Deputy Abbot of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Sacred and Patriarchal Monastery in … [Read more...]

From the National Herald
By Theodore Kalmoukos
BOSTON -- Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia are officially out as abbot and deputy abbot of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Sacred and Patriarchal Monastery in Astoria, NY. Bishop Ilia of Philomelion was named acting abbot while a group of three monks have been sent from Mt. Athos to man the monastery.The decision was made at a meeting of the Holy and Great Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thurs. Dec. … [Read more...]

I first came across this perceptive (and disturbing) essay about two years ago. Surprisingly, it was sent to me by a priest in the GOA. It's long but well-reasoned. Read for yourself and decide if Glen has a point.
Pushing the Gay Agenda in the Greek Archdiocese
BY NICHOLAS CHANCY
SUNDAY, 01 MARCH 2009
Source: OrthodoxBiz
Globally, Orthodox Christianity is known to be highly conservative concerning what is frequently referred to as "traditional Christian morality." In … [Read more...]

From the New York Post:
A nun at a Greek Orthodox church in Queens turned over to the NYPD $260,000 in cash and 100 gold coins mysteriously left behind by the head of the congregation shortly after he left the country, The Post has learned.
Metropolitan Paisios Loulourgas, the abbot of St. Irene's Church and Monastery in Astoria for more than 30 years, was summoned to Greece earlier this month to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the Orthodox Church, according to … [Read more...]

Raising questions about the fitness of Met. Nikita to investigate homosexual allegations is not allowed it appears. I posted my misgivings on Angela Damianakis' Facebook page, and then I was blocked from further comment.
(What follows is the comment that I was prevented from giving):
Elias, just so you know, in my first blog posting, I invited all comers to offer their opinions. (I even welcomed ad hominem attacks against me.) Therefore, you are wrong right off the bat.
Leaving that … [Read more...]

What assurance do we have that the Ecumenical Patriarch will investigate the St. Irene scandal with any impartiality, especially when appointing "investigators" with checkered pasts?
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity
By Theodore Kalmoukas
BOSTON – The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has decided to send to the United States a three member Patriarchal Exarchy team of official representatives headed by Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelia, Archimandrite Petros Abbot of the Monastery … [Read more...]

Source: The National Herald
By Theodore Kalmoukos
BOSTON – The National Herald has learned that Sister Christonymphi Fitzpatrick, a nun at the St. Irene Chrysovalantou Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery in Astoria, NY, has left the monastic life and given a statement to the 114th Police Precinct on Saturday night November 6, 2010, where she revealed a great deal about the events that transpired in the monastery under the leadership of its abbot Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana throughout … [Read more...]

HT: Byzantine Texas
From Orthodox Christian Laity
BOSTON (TNH via OCL) – Federal and local authorities in New York have received public complaints against Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana. The National Herald has learned that these allegations, made to the FBI’s central New York office in Manhattan and the local 114th Police precinct in Astoria, involve serious charges, which if proven true may even be subject to criminal prosecution. At least one of the accusers who testified … [Read more...]

Source: National HeraldBOSTON – Federal and local authorities in New York have received public complaints against Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana. The National Herald has learned that these allegations, made to the FBI’s central New York office in Manhattan and the local 114th Police precinct in Astoria, involve serious charges, which if proven true may even be subject to criminal prosecution. At least one of the accusers who testified to the authorities has lived for years at the St. Irene … [Read more...]

George MichalopulosAug 17, 7:03 PM Are you accusing me of being in favor of genocide? –

Nate TrostAug 17, 5:47 PM We apparently disagree that opposing genocide is itself hateful. Or that Trump assigned blame where it belonged. What a surprise. And considering this blog is... –

George MichalopulosAug 17, 4:43 PM I'm not praising the neo-nazis. Some of them were armed and spoiling for a fight. Know what? Trump condemned them by name. But they had... –

George MichalopulosAug 17, 4:40 PM I must disagree, Nate. Trump blamed all sides for the hate. You can't tell me that Antifa/BLM isn't a hate group. If you do then... –

George MichalopulosAug 17, 4:38 PM Steve, I imagine I'm much older than you but I actually remember segregated schools. Black children actually learned in them. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been... –

George MichalopulosAug 17, 4:28 PM Thank you, I hope the Good Lord does help me. And you as well. –

George MichalopulosAug 17, 4:28 PM Bravo Mike! I for one am tired of the supposed taint that Christians are supposed to bear forever for the trans-Atlantic slave trade. It was... –